Biodegradable surface layer film for pools or spas to prevent evaporation and heat loss

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to swimming pools and other pools of standing water, and in particular to a dispensing unit that distributes a chemical solution that reduces evaporation and heat loss by forming a film or monomolecular layer over the surface or substantial surface area of the swimming pool or water pond.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to swimming pools and other pools ofstanding water, and in particular to a dispensing unit that distributesa chemical solution that reduces evaporation and heat loss by forming afilm over the surface area of the swimming pool or water pond.

2. Description of the Prior Art

This invention relates to water quality, and more particularly tomethods and apparatus for feeding controlled amounts of chemicals intoswimming pools, hot tubs, spas, cooling towers and other standing waterponds, the particular chemical solution forming a film or monomolecularlayer over the surface area of the pool, thus reducing evaporation, heatloss, and the loss of any other chemicals which may be utilized inchemically treating the water content of the pool.

In home swimming pools and in newly popular hot tubs, spas, and otherwater pools, it is almost always necessary to filter and recirculate thewater and to add certain chemicals, such as organic flocculating agents,which greatly improved the effectiveness of the filters in removingimpurities.

Still further, chlorination is undertaken in swimming pools, hot tubsand spas in order to improve the quality of water and in some instances,chelating agents are positioned in the water to prevent the formation ofscale in boilers.

In large public and commercial systems, apparatus know as “feeders” areused to meter predetermined amounts of such chemicals into the water.This is practical from the stand point of large industrial and publictreatment facilities, but the necessary capital investment for suchequipment makes it impractical for a home pool, spa, hot tub or smallcooling tower.

Additionally, with respect to swimming pools, hot tubs and spas, thereare often extended periods of time when the swimming pool, hot tub orspa is not in use, yet the swimming pool, hot tub or spa is subjected tothe ambient weather conditions, which depending upon the time of year,can include extreme heat. In such a situation, the swimming pool, hottub or spa looses water volume to evaporation, which in turn effects thechemistry of the water in the swimming pool, hot tub or spa, due to thereduced volume. Mechanical pool covers and the like can be utilized, buttheir installation is time consuming and cumbersome, and delays thereuse of the swimming pool, hot tub or spa when desired by the user inthat the mechanical cover must be removed and stored.

It has been discovered that many of the desired water treatmentchemicals needed for relatively small swimming pools, hot tubs and spas,can be packaged and shipped in closed and sealed plastic spheres ofhandy size. In use, one or more holes are opened in the shell of thesphere and the chemical enclosed is dropped in the water system. It hasfurther been discovered that the motion of the water and of the spherein the water can produce the desired rate of chemical feeding. Adispensor of this type and suitable for dispensing Applicant'sformulation is disclosed by Etani in U.S. Pat. No. 4,519,814, which isincorporated by reference.

In one embodiment, the capsule is used to add alum to the water of abackyard swimming pool. Dropped into the skimmer basket it introducesalum at a substantially constant rate proportional to the rate of flowand independent of the amount of undissolved alum remaining in thecapsule. Although at any instant the dispensing rate from the capsulewill depend upon the position of the tiny holes relative to the flow,the positioned effect is eliminated, on the average, because of themovement of the capsule. This type of chemical feeding provides acleaner pool and a more economical method of introducing the chemicalsinto the pool.

The present invention adapts the use of these sealed plastic spheres toa chemical solution that reduces the evaporation and heat loss of aswimming pool by forming a film or monomolecular layer over the surfaceof the area of the swimming pool, hot tub or spa, and thereby reducesevaporation, heat loss, and maintains the chemistry of the water of theswimming pool, hot tub or spa.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide for a novel deliverysystem for water treatment chemicals for swimming pools, hot tubs andspas.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for a noveldelivery system in the form of a safe container for storage, shipmentand introduction of water chemicals that both simple and safe.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide for a noveldelivery system for a chemical solution for a swimming pool, hot tub orspa which reduces evaporation and heat loss and maintains the chemistryof the swimming pool by forming a film or monomolecular layer over thesurface or substantial surface area of the swimming pool, hot tub orspa.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to swimming pools and other pools ofstanding water, and in particular to a dispensing unit that distributesa chemical solution that reduces evaporation and heat loss by forming afilm or monomolecular layer over the surface or substantial surface areaof the swimming pool or water pond.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent,particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a typical home swimming pool;

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the dispensing container;

FIG. 3 is an alternative construction of the dispensing container;

FIG. 4 is a second alternative construction of the dispensing container;

FIG. 5 is a cutaway view of the dispensing container; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a spa.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As indicated in FIG. 1, a typical swimming pool comprises a pool 10,which has a drain 11 and sump 12 at the bottom of the pool, and askimmer 14, which carries away overflow and collects floating debris, astrainer 15 at the inlet to a pump 16, a filter 17, a water main 18, asource of fresh water, a system outlet 19 and a pool inlet 20. Pipes21-30 and valves 31-36 connect all of the aforesaid elements.

In normal operation water is taken from the pool through the skimmer 14,the pipe 21, the valve 31, pipes 22 and 23, strainer 15, pump 16, pipe24, valve 32, pipe 25, filter 17, pipe 26, valve 33 and pipe 27, back tothe pool inlet 20. Valve 34 allows water to be recirculated in whole orin part from the bottom drain 11 and valve 35 allows water to be gravitydumped through pipe 29 to the system outlet 19. Valve 36 connects themain 18 to replenish through pipes 28 and 23. The valves 32 and 33 maybe turned to backwash the filter 17 via pipe 30. The skimmer 14 isarranged to collect leaves and other floating debris. To prevent theplugging of pipes 21, 22, 23, and pump 16, the skimmer 14 has perforatedbasket 41 of larger diameter and strainer 15 has a strainer basket 42.While the flow velocity of the baskets is much less than in the pipes,it is still perceptible and non-uniform so that when a container ofchemical of the kind described hereafter is dropped into the perforatedbasket in the skimmer, or in the strainer basket, it bobs or flutterswith the flow through the baskets. The feeder may be inserted at theseplaces or a special chamber.

FIG. 2 is representative of a practical embodiment for a dispensingcontainer for chemicals, hereinafter termed a “feeder”. The feedercomprises two plastic hemispheres 101, 102 which are joined together inthe manner of some table tennis balls with cement. The hemisphere 101has a filling hole 105, which is closed by a plug 110. For dispensingthe chemical, there are a number of small holes 112 in the hemisphere101. Plug 110 has a porous buoyant portion 114.

FIG. 3 represents a construction in which two hemispheres 121 and 122are joined at a flange. The thermo-plastic hemispheres with flanges canbe made easily by the vacuum-forming process. This is the preferredconstruction when polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is used, or when the fillingchemical is compressed into a solid ball “brickette”. The flange closureis readily achieved by ultrasonic welding, and the flange assists therotation of the feeder in the eddies of flow. It also facilitates thehandling and packaging of the feeders. The body of chemical, or an addedweight 127 tends to stabilize the upward orientation of the feeder holesin conditions of low flow.

FIG. 4 represents an alternate closure of the feeder of FIG. 3. In thisconstruction the feeder is filled by the supplier with a desiredquantity of chemical 140, leaving an empty space 141, and sealed with apatch 144. The empty space may be filled with inert gas for chemicalswhich may be degraded in the presence of air or moisture. With thisconstruction, the user must make the proper number of dispensing holesby piercing the feeder with a needle or the like.

FIG. 5 is a cut-away drawing of the capsule configuration preferred formost swimming pool and spa uses. The sphere is blow molded of highdensity polyethylene. Twenty-two grams of the polymer are needed for asphere 2¾ inches in diameter. The shell 150 varies somewhat in thicknessbetween about one sixteenth and one eighth of an inch. The mold is madein two parts. When molding is complete the sphere is left with a smallhole at 151 and a pair of stub wings 152 and 153 which serve thefunction of the flange in the configuration of FIG. 3. In preparationfor filling, the blow hole 151 is closed, and the filling hole 154,formed in the mold, is clealy cut through, both operations using anultrasonic tool. It is desired that this capsule float with eachdispensing hole 157 near the liquid levels inside 158, and outside 159,the capsule when it is resting in still water. To achieve this result,an air space 160 is left after filling with the emulsion, and zero-gaugebuck shot 161 is swaged into the filler plug 162.

FIG. 6 is a drawing representative of a so-called “spa” or “hot tub”showing the features which characterize such systems. The spa provides asetting for communal bathing in warm water with the active stimulationof vigorous jets of water and air. The hot tub is a close relative ofthe spa, characterized by a classical construction in the form of alarge round wooden vat with a simple wooden bench. The spa, built up ofconcrete, tile or fiberglass has more comfortable seating, and moreflexible shape, seating arrangement, and plumbing. The system of FIG. 6has a tub 210 which has a main drain 211 at the bottom. Water isreturned through pipe 213 from the drain 211 and a skimmer 214 to astrainer 215, and a water pump 216. From the pump 216 the water goesthrough a filter 217, a water heater 213, and returns to the tub atinlet 219. A second pump 220 called a “booster pump” propels waterforcefully from jets 221-224. An air pump 230 feeds air to the waterjets 221-224 in a ventury connection whereby a large quantity of air isentrained in the jets of water. A second air pump 231 is connected to anair jet 232 that blows air directly into the water in the tub by way ofthe pipe 234. Water is returned from the tub by way of return line 238and strainer 240 to the booster pump 220. Supply water may be added, andthe system drained by the pipe 242.

In order to create a film or monomolecular layer over the surface areaof the swimming pool or spa, the delivery capsule would be filled with asolution which upon release due to the action of the water in the poolor spa previously described, would create an invisible, ultra-thin layeror film of a possibly monomolecular, non-toxic, biodegradable film,which would prevent evaporation and heat loss, and maintain the level ofchemicals in the pool or spa.

The solution contained in the delivery capsule in order to create thefilm or monomolecular layer over the surface or substantial surface areaof the swimming pool, spa, or other water pool, would include as aminimum, an evaporative inhibitor in a carrier or medium such as wateror deionized, filtered water. The evaporative inhibitor would be presentin a range of from 1 percent to 8 percent and the carrier or medium suchas water or deionized, filtered water would be present in a range offrom 92 percent to 99 percent. A suitable evaporative inhibitor for usein the solution would be cetyl alcohol.

Additional constituents for the solution could also include non-ionicemulsifiers which would improve the performance of the solution.Suitable non-ionic emulsifiers include poly-oxy-ethylene (20) sorbitanmonolaurate in a range of from 0.10 percent to 4.0 percent and which issold under the brand name Tween 20. Another non-ionic emulsifier, alsosuitable for use and inclusion, would sorbitan monopalmitate in a rangeof from 0.10 percent to 4.0 percent, and which is sold under the brandname Span 40. A still further suitable non-ionic emulsifier would bepoly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether) in a range of from 0.10 percent to4.0 percent and sold under the brand name Brij 58.

In addition to the foregoing, certain stabilizers may be desired withrespect to the solution and the constituents thereof. Suitablepreservatives include propylene glycol at a maximum weight percentage of2.0 percent, methyl paraben at a maximum weight percent of 0.15 percent,and propyl paraben at a maximum weight percent of 0.05 percent. Thepreservatives should, if utilized, be utilized as close to their maximumvalues as possible in order to not adversely affect the viscosity of thesolution.

Additionally, an anti-foam may be utilized to aid in the formulationprocess for a more effective filling of the delivery capsule. Ansilicone anti-foam in a weight percentage range of 0.10 percent to 4.0percent has been found to be effective.

An invisible, ultra-thin, preferably monomolecular layer or film may beformed over the surface of a swimming pool, spa, or other water pool toprovide for an invisible layer of non-toxic, biodegradable film whichwould prevent evaporation and heat loss and maintain the level ofchemicals in the pool or spa through the use of a solution contained inthe delivery capsule, which delivery solution includes water, deionized,filtered water, and cetyl alcohol in the ranges first mentioned above.The additional constituents mentioned above may be added to the cetylalcohol water solution to improve its performance.

The preferred formulation for the solution disbursed from the deliverycapsule would be as follows by weight percent.

Deionized water 93.1% Propylene Glycol  2.0% Methyl paraben 0.15% Tween20 (polysorbate 20)  0.2% Cetyl alcohol  4.0% Span 40 0.20% Brij 580.20% Antifoamant>>>>>> 0.10% Propyl paraben 0.05%

In this preferred formulation embodiment, depending upon the size of thepool, the delivery capsule will disburse the formulation to form theinvisible layer of non-toxic, biodegradable film, which will preventevaporation and heat loss. While the preferred embodiment has beenstated above, it has been found that the constituents of the formulationmay fall within the following ranges and still provide for an invisiblelayer of non-toxic, biodegradable film, which achieves the resultsdesired.

Deionized water 92.0%–99%  Propylene Glycol Up to 2.0%  Methyl parabenUp to 0.15% Tween 20 (polysorbate 20) 0.10%–4.0% Cetyl alcohol 1.0%–8.0% Span 40 0.10%–4.0% Brij 58 0.10%–4.0% Antifoamant 0.10%–4.0%Propyl paraben 0.05% maximum

Testing and experience has determined that depending upon the size ofthe dispenser and its contents, it will take approximately up to 7-10days under normal conditions to totally dispense the contents and formthe evaporative inhibiting film. A non-toxic dye may be utilized as anindicator of total dispersion.

The dispensed solution and resultant evaporating inhibitive film wouldhave an effective life of up to two months, depending upon agitation. Ifthe pool or spa is agitated through ordinary use, the film will bedisrupted but will reform upon cessation of use and agitation for thetime prescribed. The more agitation or disruption per period of timewill result in less efficacy.

Therefore, while the present invention has been disclosed with respectto the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those ofordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications can bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It istherefore manifestly intended that the invention be limited only by theclaims and the equivalence thereof.

1. A dispenser, including a solution for dispensing a film ormonomolecular layer of biodegradable film over the surface of a swimmingpool, hot tub, spa or other water pond to prevent evaporation, retainheat, and maintain the chemical balance of the swimming pool, hot tub,spa or water pond, the dispenser and solution comprising: a dispensingcontainer, said dispensing container being generally spherical in shape,having a neutral buoyancy dependent upon water velocity flow causingsaid dispensing container to randomly move about freely and rotate, saiddispending container defining a chamber of sufficient size toaccommodate a solution to be dispensed, said solution forming a film ormonomolecular, biodegradable surface layer on a body of water includingthe surface of said swimming pool, hot tub, spa or water pond so as toprevent evaporation, heat loss, and to maintain the chemical balance ofsaid body of water.
 2. The dispenser and solution in accordance withclaim 2 wherein said solution formulation is non-toxic, biodegradable,and forms an invisible layer on said surface of said pool, hot tub, spaor water pond.
 3. The dispenser and solution in accordance with claim 2wherein said solution comprises a solution of water, deionized water, orfiltered water and an evaporation inhibitor.
 4. The dispenser andsolution in accordance with claim 3 wherein said evaporative inhibitoris cetyl alcohol in a weight percent of from 1.0% to 8.0%, and saidwater, deionized water, or filtered water is present in a weight percentof from 92.0% to 99.0%.
 5. The dispenser and solution in accordance withclaim 4 wherein said solution further includes non-ionic emulsifiers. 6.The dispenser and solution in accordance with claim 5 wherein saidnon-ionic emulsifiers include, but are not limited, poly-oxy-ethylene(20), sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, andpoly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether).
 7. The dispenser and solution inaccordance with claim 6 wherein said poly-oxy-ethylene (20) sorbitanmonolaurate is present in a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%; said sorbitanmonopalmitate is present in a range of 0.10% to 4.0%, and saidpoly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether) is present in a range of 0.10% to4.0%.
 8. The dispenser and solution in accordance with claim 4 whereinsaid solution further includes preservatives for maintaining viscosityof the solution.
 9. The dispenser and solution in accordance with claim8 wherein said preservatives include, but are not limited to, propyleneglycol; methyl paraben; and propyl paraben.
 10. The dispenser andsolution in accordance with claim 9 wherein said preservative propyleneglycol is present in a maximum of 2.0%; said methyl paraben is presentin a maximum of 0.15%; and said propyl paraben is present in a maximumof 0.05%.
 11. The dispenser and solution in accordance with claim 4wherein said solution further includes an anti-foaming agent.
 12. Thedispenser and solution in accordance with claim 11 wherein saidanti-foaming agent is a silicone anti-foam in a range of from 0.10% to4.0%.
 13. The dispenser and solution in accordance with claim 12 whereinsaid water, deionized water, or filtered water is present in the weightpercent range of from 92.0% to 99.0%; said propylene glycol is presentin a maxmimum of 2.0%; said methyl paraben is present in a maximum of0.15%; said poly-oxy-ethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate is present in arange of from 0.10% to 4.0%; said cetyl alcohol is present in a range offrom 1.0% to 8.0%; said sorbitan monopalmitate is present in a range offrom 0.10% to 4.0%; said poly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether) is presentin a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%; said antifoaming agent is present in arange of from 0.10% to 4.0%; and said propyl paraben is present in amaximum of from 0.05%.
 14. The dispenser and solution in accordance withclaim 13 wherein in the preferred composition of matter comprising saidnon-toxic, biodegradable solution for forming a film on the surface of aswimming pool, hot tub, spa, or water pond, said constituents of saidsolution are present in the following preferred amounts by weightpercent: deionized water 93.1%; propylene glycol 2.0%; methyl paraben0.15%, poly-oxy-ethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate 0.2%; cetyl alcohol4.0%; sorbitan monopalmitate 0.20%; poly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether)58 0.20%; silicone antifoaming agent 0.10%; and propyl paraben 0.05%.15. A solution for forming a film or a monomolecular layer ofbiodegradable film over a body of water including the surface of aswimming pool, hot tub, spa or other water pond to prevent evaporation,retain heat, and maintain the chemical balance of the swimming pool, hottub, spa or water pond, the solution comprising: water, deionized water,or filtered water and an evaporation inhibitor.
 16. The solution inaccordance with claim 15 wherein said evaporative inhibitor is cetylalcohol in a weight percent of from 1.0% to 8.0%, and said water,deionized water, or filtered water is present in a weight percent offrom 92.0% to 99.0%.
 17. The solution in accordance with claim 16wherein said solution further includes non-ionic emulsifiers.
 18. Thesolution in accordance with claim 17 wherein said non-ionic emulsifiersinclude, but are not limited, poly-oxy-ethylene (20), sorbitanmonolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, and poly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetylether).
 19. The solution in accordance with claim 18 wherein saidpoly-oxy-ethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate is present in a range offrom 0.10% to 4.0%; said sorbitan monopalmitate is present in a range of0.10% to 4.0%, and said poly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether) is present ina range of 0.10% to 4.0%.
 20. The solution in accordance with claim 16wherein said solution further includes preservatives for maintainingviscosity of the solution.
 21. The solution in accordance with claim 20wherein said preservatives include, but are not limited to, propyleneglycol; methyl paraben; and propyl paraben.
 22. The solution inaccordance with claim 21 wherein said preservative propylene glycol ispresent in a maximum of 2.0%; said methyl paraben is present in amaximum of 0.15%; and said propyl paraben is present in a maximum of0.05%.
 23. The solution in accordance with claim 16 wherein saidsolution further includes an anti-foaming agent.
 24. The solution inaccordance with claim 23 wherein said anti-foaming agent is a siliconeanti-foam in a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%.
 25. The solution inaccordance with claim 24 wherein said water, deionized water, orfiltered water is present in the weight percent range of from 92.0% to99.0%; said propylene glycol is present in a maxmimum of 2.0%; saidmethyl paraben is present in a maximum of 0.15%; said poly-oxy-ethylene(20) sorbitan monolaurate is present in a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%;said cetyl alcohol is present in a range of from 1.0% to 8.0%; saidsorbitan monopalmitate is present in a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%; saidpoly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether) is present in a range of from 0.10%to 4.0%; said silicone antifoaming agent is present in a range of from0.10% to 4.0%; and said propyl paraben is present in a maximum of from0.05%.
 26. The solution in accordance with claim 25 wherein in thepreferred composition of matter comprising said non-toxic, biodegradablesolution for forming a film on the surface of a swimming pool, hot tub,spa, or water pond, said constituents of said solution are present inthe following preferred amounts by weight percent: deionized water93.1%; propylene glycol 2.0%; methyl paraben 0.15%, poly-oxy-ethylene(20) sorbitan monolaurate 0.2%; cetyl alcohol 4.0%; sorbitanmonopalmitate 0.20%; poly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether) 58 0.20%;silicone antifoaming agent 0.10%; and propyl paraben 0.05%.
 27. Asolution for forming a film or monomolecular layer of biodegradable filmover a body of water including the surface of a swimming pool, hot tub,spa or other water pond to prevent evaporation, retain heat, andmaintain the chemical balance of the swimming pool, hot tub, spa orwater pond, the solution comprising: water, deionized water, or filteredwater in the weight percent range of from 92.0% to 99.0%; propyleneglycol is present in a maxmimum of 2.0%; methyl paraben is present in amaximum of 0.15%; poly-oxy-ethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate is presentin a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%; cetyl alcohol is present in a range offrom 1.0% to 8.0%; sorbitan monopalmitate is present in a range of from0.10% to 4.0%; poly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether) is present in a rangeof from 0.10% to 4.0%; an antifoaming agent is present in a range offrom 0.10% to 4.0%; and propyl paraben is present in a maximum of from0.05%.
 28. A solution in accordance with claim 27 for forming amonomolecular layer of biodegradable film over the surface of a swimmingpool, hot tub, spa or other water pond to prevent evaporation, retainheat, and maintain the chemical balance of the swimming pool, hot tub,spa or water pond, the solution comprising the following constituentsand their percentages: deionized water 93.1%; propylene glycol 2.0%;methyl paraben 0.15%, poly-oxy-ethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate 0.2%;cetyl alcohol 4.0%; sorbitan monopalmitate 0.20%; poly-oxy-ethylene (20cetyl ether) 58 0.20%; silicone antifoaming agent 0.10%; and propylparaben 0.05%.
 29. A method of forming a film or monomolecular,non-toxic, biodegradable surface layer film for swimming pools, spas,hot tubs or water ponds in order to prevent evaporation, limit heatloss, and maintain chemical balance comprising: forming a dispensingcontainer having a volume of between 0.1 and less than 24 cubic inches,said dispensing container being resistant to attack by water andchemical, said dispensing container perforated by a plurality of smallholes, each of less than three square mm in cross section and greaterthan 5,000ths of an inch in diameter, and with an aggregate area of saidholes less than 0.2% of the surface area of said dispensing container,said dispensing container being spherical in shape and having neutralbuoyancy dependant upon water velocity flow so as to cause saiddispensing container to move about freely and roll on the surface of thewater, said dispensing container having a chamber of sufficient size tocontain a solution for forming said monomolecular, biodegradable surfacelayer film; forming a solution of deionized water, propylene glycol,methyl paraben, poly-oxy-ethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate, cetylalcohol, sorbitan monopalmitate, poly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether,antifoaming agent, and propyl paraben, and introducing said solutioninto said dispensing container and sealing same; puncturing saidplurality of small holes in said dispensing container; positioning saiddispensing container in said swimming pool, hot tub, spa, or water pondso as to move freely under the influence of said water velocity and todispense said solution, forming said film or monomolecular,biodegradable surface layer film on said surface of said swimming pool,hot tub, spa or water pond so as to prevent evaporation, heat loss andto maintain chemical balance.
 30. The method of forming a film ormonomolecular, non-toxic, biodegradable surface layer film for swimmingpools, spas, hot tubs or water ponds in accordance with claim 29comprising a solution of water, deionized water, or filtered water inthe weight percent range of from 92.0% to 99.0%; propylene glycol ispresent in a maxmimum of 2.0%; methyl paraben is present in a maximum of0.15%; poly-oxy-ethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate is present in a rangeof from 0.10% to 4.0%; cetyl alcohol is present in a range of from 1.0%to 8.0%; sorbitan monopalmitate is present in a range of from 0.10% to4.0%; poly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether) is present in a range of from0.10% to 4.0%; antifoaming agent is present in a range of from 0.10% to4.0%; and propyl paraben is present in a maximum of from 0.05%.
 31. Themethod of forming a film or monomolecular, non-toxic, biodegradablesurface layer film for swimming pools, spas, hot tubs or water ponds inaccordance with claim 30 comprising a solution of constituents in thefollowing weight percentages: deionized water 93.1%; propylene glycol2.0%; methyl paraben 0.15%, poly-oxy-ethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate0.2%; cetyl alcohol 4.0%; sorbitan monopalmitate 0.20%;poly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether) 58 0.20%; an antifoaming agent 0.10%;and propyl paraben 0.05%.